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Co-operative sector announces global turnover of 2.2 trillion USD for top 300 co-ops, and employment figures of at least 250 million worldwide

At the 2014 International Summit of Co-operatives ground-breaking research has been unveiled, providing firm evidence of the importance of the sector for the global economy, for economic stability and global employment. A much wider co-operative policy toolset is now available to co-operatives, international organisations, researchers and governments to measure the co-operative economy and to appreciate its importance for a sustainable, people-first economy.

Québec City, 9 October 2014 – The 2014 International Summit of Co-operatives has drawn to a close following a week of discussions, roundtables and workshops revolving around the theme of co-operative innovation and how it is essential in resolving global challenges such as quality employment and economic stability.

This 2014 Summit has seen the launch of a wealth of evidence-based studies. These are essential to take the co-operative model to governments and international organisations and make the case for co-operative enterprises as a pillar of the economy and a stabilizing counterweight to investor enterprise.

Presented for the first time at the Summit, the study “Co-operatives and Employment: a global report” carried out by CICOPA, the Alliance's sector for industrial and service co-operatives, discusses the significance of co-operative employment globally, both quantitatively and qualitatively. It shows how co-operatives contribute to resilient employment, a sustainable economy and the well-being of people at work, making up almost 12% of the entire employed population of the G20 countries. Co-operative enterprises generate partial or full-time employment involving at least 250 million individuals worldwide, either in or within the scope of co-operatives.

The Alliance’s brand new Survey on Co-operative Capital presented today, shows that co-operatives are indeed able to secure reliable streams of capital while guaranteeing member control and preserving the co-operative difference. Led by the Alliance’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Co-operative Capital, the study collects uses, sources, structures and returns on co-operative capital for both start up and growth strategies.

It is the first report that gathers such business intelligence on co-operative interactions with and for capital of its kind. It also suggests some innovative or new methodologies to expand the diversity and versatility of capital mechanisms for co-operatives that allow our enterprises to secure reliable streams of capital while guaranteeing member control and preserving the co-operative difference.

Dame Pauline Green, President of the International Co-operative Alliance: “More than 3000 persons involved with cooperatives gathered in Québec City, for the 2nd International Summit of Cooperatives. Together they have worked, through their day to day activity, to innovate and grow the global family of co-operatives to play their part in building a better world with more inclusive growth for billions of women and men.

At the end of this Summit, we urge the world’s leaders to seriously consider the impact that the co-operative way is having on the global economy, and what more it still has to offer in our common ambition to build a better world.

Co-operatives have supported the livelihoods of millions of people through the financial crises. All over the world co-operatives have proven that they are a good way to empower people to take care of their own future in so many fields: food, health, banking, education, insurance, housing, energy - co-operatives are good at bringing solutions at every level: local, national and international.

We ask our leaders to consider the urgent need we have for diversity in the way a business can be run. The world needs co-operatives to be recognized as a valued part of the global economy. We do not seek special treatment but that world leaders objectively consider all that we can bring to the women and men living on our shared planet: earth, and acknowledge our role. Co-operative enterprises build a better world.”